Hajj

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam is to make a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, at least once in one’s lifetime. This pillar is obligatory for every Muslim, male or female, provided that he/she is physically and financially able to do so.

To Perform Hajj one must be a Muslim, to be free, to be an adult or mature enough, to be of sound mind, and to have the ability to afford the journey and maintain one’s family or dependents back home for the duration of the Hajj. The reward of accepted Hajj is nothing less than Paradise.

On this unique occasion, Muslims from all around the worlds travel to Makkah to perform the rituals of Hajj. The gathering during Hajj is considered the largest annual gathering of people in the world.

All pilgrims wear special clothes (Ihram) – two, very simple, unsown white garments – which strips away all distinctions of wealth, status, class and culture; all stand together and equal before Allah (God).

The rites of Hajj, which go back to the time of Prophet Abraham who built the Ka’bah, are observed over five or six days, beginning on the eighth day of the last month of the year, named Dhul-Hijjah (pilgrimage).

These rites include circumambulating the Ka’bah (Tawaf), and going between the mountains of Safa and Marwah, as Hajar (Prophet Abraham’s wife) did during her search for water for her son Isma’il. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafah and join in prayers for God’s forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment. The pilgrims also cast stones at a stone pillar which represents Satan.

The pilgrimage ends with a festival, called Eid Al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers, the sacrifice of an animal, and the exchange of greetings and gifts in Muslim communities arounf the globe.

“For Hajj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good ye do, (be sure) Allah knoweth it. And take a provision (With you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me, o ye that are wise.” [Noble Quran 2:197]

Umrah

Umrah is sometimes referred to as the “lesser pilgrimage,” in comparison to the annual Hajj pilgrimage of Islam. It is a visit one makes to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, outside of the designated Hajj pilgrimage dates.

The word “umrah” means to visit an important place.
During the Umrah, some of the same pilgrimage rites are performed:
• Wearing of the ihram
• walking seven times around the Ka’aba
• Running between the hills of Safa and Marwa
• Shaving or clipping of the hair

However, the other steps of Hajj are not done during Umrah. Therefore, performing Umrah does not meet the requirements of Hajj and doesn’t replace one’s obligation to perform Hajj. The Umrah is recommended but not required in Islam.

The government of Saudi Arabia manages the logistics of visitors coming for both Hajj and Umrah. The Umrah also requires a visa and travel arrangements through an authorized Hajj/Umrah service provider. There is no set time for Umrah; it can be done at any time of year. Several million Muslims prefer to do Umrah during the month of Ramadan each year.